4 Ph.D. Positions: Avian and Amphibian Conservation Science (UW-Madison)

The Peery Lab is seeking 4 Ph.D. students at UW Madison to conduct cutting edge conservation research on birds and amphibians in California. These dissertation projects will involve (1) assessing the effects of invasive barred owls on amphibian communities, (2) developing improved monitoring programs for marbled murrelets, (3) population modeling-based assessments of barred owl management strategies, and (4) population genomics of barred owls and their prey.

Students would enroll in the Wildlife Ecology Ph.D. program and be advised by Dr. Zach Peery (Lab Website) and collaborators in the Dept. of Forest and Wildlife Ecology. Students will work closely with partners at Cornell University, Integral Research Ecology Center, US Forest Service, Sierra Pacific Industries, and California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Qualifications: An MS degree in wildlife ecology or related discipline is preferred. Exceptional applicants with a BS degree will be considered if they have proven relevant experience. A solid working knowledge of population/quantitative ecology and field work (positions 1-3) or molecular ecology and lab work (position 4) is required. Prior publication experience is preferred, as is previous experience collaborating with natural resource agencies. Excellent English writing and verbal communication skills are essential.

Salary: These positions include three guaranteed years of stipend (ca $40,000 annually) via research assistantships, plus tuition remission and healthcare benefits. Additional funding is likely available through a combination of teaching and research assistantships.

Start Date: Spring or Fall Semester 2025, depending on position.

Applying: Review of applicants will begin on Sept 15th, 2024, but the position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found. To apply, please submit your application here: 

https://uwmadison.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0eb3EM90PO5zxOe

Please note that applying includes filling out a short survey, uploading a cover letter (specifying which positions you are interested in), curriculum vitae, and unofficial transcripts (both undergraduate and graduate, compiled into one file). In your cover letter, please outline your research interests and academic/professional background. We will not be able to respond to queries about the status of applications, but. If you experience problems while filling out the application, please email Brendan Hobart (bkhobart@wisc.edu). After reviewing all applicants, we will ask for reference letters from top candidates. Finalists will be notified and instructed to submit a formal application, including reference letters, to the UW-Madison Graduate School.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, disability status, or protected veteran status. The Peery Lab believes that a diverse team will enable a broader perspective and enhance creativity and encourages applications from underrepresented candidates.

UW-Madison: UW-Madison has a long history of excellence in ecology and conservation biology. The university ranks consistently among the top research universities in the United States. Total student enrollment is over 43,000 of which approximately 12,000 are graduate and professional students, and there are over 2,000 faculty. UW-Madison is an exciting place to learn and conduct research! The city of Madison ranks as one of the most attractive places in the U.S. to live and work.